In this four-year bachelor’s program students acquire a solid understanding of orthodox theology and tradition, and enter into the scientific discourse that comprises the field of Eastern Christian studies.

For a long time, Orthodox churches have lived under the oppression of totalitarian regimes, which has greatly influenced and obstructed their educational traditions. This bachelor’s program plays a foundational role in our mission to reestablish and increase the level of knowledge about, and within, the Orthodox Churches both in Sweden and internationally.

Education entails more than the mere acquisition of knowledge. It also concerns our understanding and use of knowledge. This program takes an emancipatory perspective whereby education helps to identify and question oppressive patterns that have arisen as a consequence of living in contexts of limited freedom. By becoming established in tradition while simultaneously being equipped with scientific tools, students are encouraged to engage in the dynamic process that is living tradition.

The syllabus of this program is included in several of our longer programs but can also be taken independently.

Content

The first year comprises the following courses:

The Early Church 7,5hp

History of Religions 7,5hp

Biblical Science 7,5hp

The second year comprises the following courses:

Historical Theology with Church History 7,5hp

Theories and Methods in Patristic Studies 7,5hp

Interpretation, theory and method with paper 7,5hp

Liturgics 7,5hp

Ecclesiology 7,5hp

The third year comprises the following courses:

The Gospel and the Letters of Paul 10hp

Sacred Texts of Eastern Christianity 5hp

Reception of the Bible in the East throughout history 7,5hp

Bible in the Liturgy 7,5hp

Eastern Christian liturgies 7,5hp

Patristics and the Great Church fathers 7,5hp

Ecclesiology and Canon Law in Eastern Christianity 7,5hp

Ecclesiology in Contemporary Orthodox Theology 7,5 hp

The fourth and final year comprises the following courses:

Patristic Exegesis 7,5hp

Eastern Christian theology 7,5hp

Typicon Decoded 7,5hp

Systematic Ecclesiology 7,5hp

Methodology – Eastern Christian Studies 15hp

Bachelor thesis 15hp

Examination Format

Courses at university level use examination forms including but not limited to: written examinations, seminars, PM's, take-home examinations, interpretation exercises, oral examinations and essays. In addition, mandatory attendance with limited exceptions also applies.

Degree

The program leads to a bachelor's degree in theology with a focus on Eastern Christian studies.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition is free for everyone with citizenship or residence permit in Sweden, EU and EFTA countries. More information is available here.

Student Financial Aid

Participants of this program who are Swedish citizens are eligible to apply for student loans and grants via The Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN). In some cases, participants who are not Swedish citizens but who have a residence permit in Sweden may also be eligible to apply for student loans and grants via CSN. Applicants must be prepared to validate their eligibility by providing documentation detailing previous education, since this will determine the outcome of their application for student financial aid.

Read more about how to apply for student financial aid via CSN at www.csn.se.

Participants who are not eligible to apply for student financial aid via CSN are encouraged to investigate whether they can apply for student financial aid in their home country for studies at Sankt Ignatios.

Utilising student financial aid is however not required in order to study at Sankt Ignatios.

Next program start: Fall term 2019

Applicants within Sweden or other EU-countries:

Application period: March 15th - April 15th

Occasionally, additional application periods for late application are opened, depending on available spots. Such application periods are announced on our website shortly before opening.

Prerequisites

General entry requirements for university studies in Sweden.

Requirements for Admission

Applicants are required to have a citizenship or residence permit in Sweden or another EU country.

Admissions Process

March 15th - April 15th: Apply to this program via www.universityadmissions.se. Follow this link to get directly to this program's page on universityadmissions.se.

July 11th: A letter of acceptance is sent out to those who have been admitted. In order to keep your place you need to accept it before July 26th. The letter also contains information about the start of the program.

August 1st - August 10th: A welcome letter is sent out with additional information about the start of the program.